Outer London Commission board members revealed

The full fifteen-strong line up of members of the Outer London Commission was unveiled today at the group’s inaugural meeting at London City Hall.

The commission, set up to develop economic, social and environmental policy recommendation for the ‘doughnut’ of 20 London boroughs, is headed by former British Property Federation head Will McKee. McKee will be joined by:

Berkeley group chief Tony Pidgley;

Land Securities’ former head of London portfolio management Robert Heskett,

John Lewis Partnership’s director of building and services Nigel Keen;

Corinne Swain, part-time consultant and former head of planning at Arup;

Peter Eversden, chairman of the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies;

Peter Rogers, chief executive at the London Development Agency;

Peter Bishop, Design for London director at London Development Agency;

Colin Stanbridge, chief executive officer at the London Chamber of Commerce;

Croydon councillor Mike Fisher;

Waltham Forest councillor Clyde Loakes;

Richmond upon Thames councillor Serge Lourie.

Commission members were chosen to represent a wide make up of business, public sector and local authority interests.

The meeting today was the first of six proposed meetings which will shape policy including the London Plan at City Hall.

Members today discussed an initial paper titled ‘Outer London: Realising It’s Potential’ which tackled issues such as transport flows into the boroughs, what kind of businesses will be growing in the region and the issue of developing ‘super-hubs’ at ‘focal regeneration points’ in London.

Four potential areas were identified for these ‘super hubs’ at Croydon, Stratford, Brent Cross/Cricklewood and in a West London opportunity area. However, the ‘super-hub’ idea was also criticised at the meeting by Waltham Forest Cllr Loakes who said they will detract from other town centres in London.

The meeting also discussed the promotion of Green and creative industries in the outer boroughs, while at the same time being aware of more traditional industries such as manufacturing.

The next meeting, scheduled to take place in north London, will be on 18 February. The findings of the commission are to be fed into the draft London Plan in Autumn this year.